Foldable golf bag support



Oct. 23, 1951 s. VANDEN HOEK FOLDABLE GOLF BAG SUPPORT 2 SHEETSr-SHEET 1 Filed 001;. 24, 1949 G WON \nvsu'row. SAMUELVANDEN Hoax ATTORNEYS Oct. 23, 1951 s. VANDEN HOEK 2,572,408

FOLDABLE GOLF BAG- SUPPORT 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1949 \NveN-rbn- SAMUEL \lmoeu Hoax MWW - A'r'romzvg Patented Oct. 23, 1951 U NITED :;S TAT E S PATENT OF F. ICE

"FOLDABIJE' GOLF BAG SUPPORT Samuel VandenJHoek, Grand'Rapids, Mich. Application October 24, 1949; SerialNo. 123,259

- 6 Claims. (CL 280-36) This invention relateswto agolf bag support, to which agolf bag may-be connected,- and the bag containing clubs withithe connected support carried: or drawn from one place of pla to another, and upon reachinga place-where a ball "is to be played, thesupport is quickly and easily and substantially instantly positioned to support the bag lncwhich the clubs are carried atan-incIine-to'the vertical; with theopen end 'ofnthe bag; from which theclubsproject,rconveniently. located so that a player -may-'se}ect' -theclub: which is to be used. After the ballz is. played; and the club returned to the: bagpbyamer'elyi grasping the handle of the bag and lifting it"for carryingjthe support automatically folds and collapses against'the bag and remainslriirsuch position until the Succeedin place of play is reached. 'i Thesuppo'rt is then unfolded atzthenew place of play, and again positioned-to support the bag at an incline for ready access many club therein which may loc -wanted;

Further; with: :my' -invention,=* the bag support may be supplied with whe'els atone-end, which wheels, upon the automatic folding of the support against -thebag,-- will be lowered for engagement with the grund,-and by grasping the golf bag it, with the clubs therein, may be drawn over'ithe 'grounduntil another place is reached, and then by setting up the suppo'rtto position the golf bag at the -previously-mentioned inclination. the wheels arelifted-fromfthe ground and the bag" securely supported'withthe clubs accessible for selection therefrom, andwillso remainuntilby lifting upon the handle ;of the golf bag the support" collapses againsta 'sideof. thebag. and. in longitudinal. alignment therewith, with. a simultaneous lowering of the wheels and liftingthe. lower endof the support from. the ground.

It is an object and. purpose .of. the present .in-

vention to providefla verypra'ctical, useful and.

serviceable golfbag support of .lightl-weight, but of. ample strength,.for easeinzselectinga club to be used, and; for readinessofcarrying the clubs from one, place ofplayto anotheinso that :there may .be .a,disnensing ofcaddie service it such service is avai1able:, .and .f or if acilitating the game where .suchserviceis unavailable.

.An.understan.ding. of :thezinvention. may-be had froni;the following 1 description, taken; in connectionrwith the accompanying drawings, :ln which lis-ran elevations-showing the supportin use; and withfthe golf; bag: located ininclined position,.-the carryingrwheels for-the bag; when the supp rt-isfolded. and motrimuse, beingielevated aboverthe ground.

Fig. 2 isa :front' :endiclevation, theibagzrbeing removed.

3 is anaielevationxfromthe same.sidecaszzinv verticalisection.

1 Like reference characters refer tolike: parts in the different-figures ofzthe: drawings.

-."In'. :the structure ldisclosed a.:tubular: rod: lwjof light weight and smalljdiameter, atits upperend has. a fixture 2 permanently secured-,thereto:which, asi b st h wn i F fri2, .;is.: of a generally; semicircular outline. -At opposite sides of thisfixturerods 3 are mounted to :turnl about. their lon itudinal axes; :each{ at .its :upper endportlon: above the-ifixture 2 terminating. in: a-reverse,-general1y V:-=shaped, hook- 4. The rods. 3:may beaturnedto different" angular; positionseandware alsov longitudinally movable .and adjustable. for apurpose hereinafterappearing.

.-.Atthe lower. endiofvthe rod I, a groundengaging fixture iszpermanently secured to:the lower end of the rod I ithaving apermanent connection-with a: sleeveito-receive it (Fig. 7)- which, together-=withtwo spaced 'struts. 5a; paralleling the. sleeve 5, are; castcintegral with-upper and lower-plates; 6 and I which are located-in planes atright angles-to theaxis oftherod I. The upper plate- 6 at theinner side of the red I is divided to make spacedzfingers 6c,.and:the.-corresponding edge. of the lower plate 1,.- may be provided-with a concave recess ,-asshownrin Fig, 4. 1 From the lower side .,of .the plate I; "and, integral therewith spacedhooks 8; extenddownwardly. The struts ends of the springs being connected with the fiX-' ture 2. The springs I3, when free to do so, will tend to move the two rods I2 toward each other and in a position substantially parallel with the rod I. The pivotal connection of the upper ends The rod 24 is of short length. It is in alignment with the rod 23 and at its free end is equipped with a foot identical with the rubber foot I4 at the lower end of each rod I2.

The structure thus described is complete as a golf bag support without the attachment of the wheels which have been referred to. In the folded position of the support (Fig. 3) the rod 23, with its short aligned extension 24, is parallel to the rod I, with such short extension 24 between the fingers 6a, and with the foot member'25 entering the concave recess in the edge of the plate I. The outer end of the foot member 24 projects beyond the lower side of the lower plate I. The

of the rods I2 to the fixture 2 is a loose connec tion and one which permits a divergence; of the rods I2 downwardly away from each other and a pivotal movement about the axes of their pivotal connections to the fixture 2 for outward pivotal or swinging'movement of the rods I2 at.their lower portions away from the lower end rod I, and the 'golf. bag connectingifixture'at the lower end of such rod I. Each of thero'ds I2 at its. lower free end, preferably, is equipped with a ground engaging foot I4 of "rubber or equivalent material.

Two rods I 5 are pivotally connected at one 'end of each of them to each of the rods I2 toward the lower ends of the latter rods, but a short distance above such lower ends. In-practice the pivotal connection, as shown in Fig. 6, is by means of a sleeve I6 through which a rod I2 passes, with a pin passing through-the'sleeve and rod I2 for permanence of connection, and from the sleeve I6 a tongue I! extends inwardly. The adjacent end of the associated 'rod I5 has a plug member I8 which may be partially entered into the adjacent end of the rod I5, its projecting portion being divided by a'slot into which the tongue I1 is received, a pivot passing through said plug member I8 and the tongue 11 as shown.

The two rods I5 at their opposite ends extend or converge toward each other, each at such op-' posite end being similarly equipped with a plug member I8 likewise slotted to divide the projecting portion thereof. Such two plug members I8 come to opposite sides of a member I9 which has a' horizontal cylindrical opening therethrough, and through which a short cylindrical rod or plug 20 is passed, having projecting ends milled or' otherwise machined to make oppositelyextending tongues 2I which are pivotally connected to the members I8. The cylindrical body 20 of this connection is exteriorly grooved between its ends, and the opening through the member I9 is similarly interiorly grooved so that in the assembly, a split spring ring 22 may be seated in the groove of the member 20 and contracted so that the assembly may be carried out, the ring 22 extending when it rea ches the interior groove in the member I9, locking the parts against separation, The member I9 has two oppositely extending reduced cylindrical plug portions which enter the ends of rods 23 and 24 located in alignment. Such tubular rods 23 and 24 are permanently pinned to the member I9 (Fig. '5). The rod 23 extends in an upward direction and at its upper end is connected by means of a sleeve I6 and tongue I1 fixed to the rod I by a pivotal connection identical with that shown in Fig. 6, the upper end of the rod 23 being equipped with divided plug member I8. Thus the upper end of the rod 23 has a pivotal connection. to the rod I at the point between the ends of the rod I, though. nearer its upper end than its lower end. T

action of the spring I3, through the connected rods I2 and I5, is to hold such rods I and 23 in V collapsed parallelposition, the rods I5 extending upwardly and diverging slightly outwardly toward their upper ends, while the rods I2 lie generally aligned and at opposite sides and spaced equal distances from the rod I. In such position the golf bag support is closely adjacent one side Of'the golf bag and substantially parallel thereto. The handle of the golf bag will be at the opposite side of'the bag from such support and the bag with the attached support may be readily carried by the handle.

When a destination is'reached the golf bag with the support may be placed vertically, the

foot 25 engaging the ground andproviding a ful-' crum. Then by pulling onthehandlathe sup-' port is unfolded to incline the bag to'the position shown in Fig. 1. The lower end'of rod I and the fixture at its lower end which are se-' curely connected with the golf bag; are swung away from such foot member 25 with'a simul-i taneous outward diverging movement .of' the' lower portions of rods I2 away from each other, and with a movement of the rods I5 toward aligned horizontal position until the foot members 24 reach the ground and the golf bag attaching fixture at the lower end of the rod I alsoreaches the ground. Thispositions the golf bag as in Fig. l, on a generally easel like support, with the bag above a triangular base the corner points of which are the foot members I4 and the lower fixture on rod I which firmlyengage the ground and support the golf' bag and maintain it at the inclined position. In such position the clubs in the bag are freely accessible for selection of any one of them which is wanted.

On lifting the bag by grasping the handle and lifting upwardly, the support automatically foldsinto parallel relation with the bag. The springs I3 swing the rods I2 until the lines of forced the springs are substantially coincident with a line drawn from the foot member 25 to the pivotal connection of the upper end of the rod 23 with the rod I, but the momentum of the movement of the movin rods I2, I5 and 23 carry such rods over what would otherwise be a dead center position, and beyond such dead center, to move the short extension 24 and the foot member 25 thereon to enter the space between the fingers 6a, with the foot member 25 pressing against the recessed edge of the plate 1. Carrying wheels may be supplied to the support, though as previously stated the support is useful, practical and complete for service with-' out such wheels. An axle is provided in the form of a bent rod having a middle portion 26, from each end of which a section 21 is bent substanablytr'securedat the lowensidalof 'the lbw plate 'l',aheing.:insertedlinthe open books 8 "(Figi 7 and held in place bya screw '29 -which isthreaded upwardly intothe": sle'eve 'or post' 5 -toxhold the axle securely in position; th'ou'gh permitting it-to turn about its longitudinal axis. a

zTwo connecting rods 38 0f the same tubular stock as lthe other rodssare-connected one -.to each of the sections 21- at one :end, using'the same sleeve [5, tongue I 1 and divided plug member l8- forsuchconnections as shown in Fig. 6. The rods 30 extend to the rod. 23,. converging toward each other, and are connected by the same pivotal andijoint connection shown in -Figl- 5. The rod 23 may be divided and the-mez'nber l9 se-' cured in place. in. its'.-length"with=thecylindrical plug member and the tongues 2| extending to opposite sides thereof passing. through' the member |9,"to' which tongues, the/other endsof the rods are pivotally connected.

Such structure.wherritha support is collapsed and folded (Fig. 3), rocks axle 28 to bring the wheelsl28 into contact withthe ground andawith a lifting of the remaining parts of the support. In such condition, and with the golf bag containing the clubs attached to the support, it may be pulled over the ground, riding on the wheels 28. When the support is unfolded, as in Fig. 1, the lower edge of the plate 1 engages the ground and the wheels are lifted slightly away from the ground, whereby the three point support is provided, in addition to the other contact with the ground of the foot member 25 between the two foot members I4. The support unfolded and in its operative position is stable so that a selected club may be withdrawn from the golf bag and afterwards be replaced, without danger of movement or collapsing of the support until such folding collapse is wanted.

The structure described is of ample strength, though light in weight. The tubular rods which form the greater portion of the weight of metal used need not be over one-quarter or threeeighths of an inch in exterior diameter.

With the present invention, the bag is kept off the ground, also all of the clubs, none of them coming in contact with the ground or with wet grass. It may be used either on the level or on a hill. When it is not supporting the bag at an incline, it is out of the way. The clubs are taken out of and replaced in the bag without stooping. Physical exertion is reduced. The cost is relatively low, the weight scarcely more than the weight of one club. It saves the ba against deterioration and maintains the bag and clubs clean to the benefit of the clothing of the golfer.

The invention is defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a structure as described, an elongated bar, a fixture of generally semi-circular arcshape secured at the upper end of the bar, means mounted on said fixture adapted to connect with the upper open end of a golf bag, a second fixture at the lower end of the bar secured thereto, means connected with said second fixture for releasably securing a golf bag at its lower end, two supporting bars movably connected at their upper ends to said first fixture at a spaced distance from each other, one at each side of the first mentioned bar, and adapted for outward and inward pivotal movement away from and toward said first mentioned bar and for outward swinging movement with' respect to? eachi other, two additional bars between the lower end portions of said supporting bars;each pivotally connected at its outer-endto a supporting'bar; a further additionalbarpivotally connected at one end'to "the first mentioned bar between the ends thereof, a sh'ort member to opposite-ends *of which the-cther ends of said additional bars are pivotally connected-- said furtheradditional bar adjacent-itsfree end having a bearing through which said short member" passes and-within which said short'member' has a limited turning movement about" its dongitudinal axis, and a coiled tension spring connected at" one end to ea'chof the supporting" bars and at the other end to said' upper fixture" adj acent' the ends of said fixture, "said "springs" normally. acting to' fold the supporting bar, additional bars'and further additional bar into positions generally parallel to the first bar.

l'.2'.'A structure as defined in claim 1, sa'id'flxture atthe lower end-of the first bar having two spaced plate portions located at right angles to the axis of said first bar, integral connections between said plates, the uppermost of said plates at its inner edge being divided to provide two spaced fingers between which the lower end portion of said last mentioned further additional bar is adapted to seat when in folded position, and said lower plate having a projecting ledge portion against which the lower end of a golf bag is adapted to rest.

3. A structure as defined in claim 1, and a horizontal axle mounted for rocking movement on said second fixture, said axle at each end portion having an off-set extension located at an angle to the intermediate portion of the axle, wheels mounted on said off-set extensions to turn about an axis parallel to said intermediate portion of the axle, and two link bars pivotally con nected at one end to said further additional bar, and having a pivotal connection at their opposite ends one to each angularly off-set portion of the axle.

4. In a structure as described, an elongated bar, means at opposite ends of the bar adapted for the connection of a golf bag thereto at opposite ends of the bag, to locate said bar parallel to and at a side of the bag, two supporting bars each pivotally connected at its upper end to the uppermost of said bag connecting means, whereby said supporting bars may be folded to lie one at each side of the first bar and generally alongside thereof, or moved outwardly to bear at their lower ends upon the ground and support the first bar and a golf bag attached thereto at an inclined position, two additional bars pivotally connected at their outer ends, one to each of said supporting bars adjacent the lower end thereof, a further additional bar pivotally connected at one end with the first mentioned bar between the ends thereof, a member between the other ends of said additional bars to opposite ends of which said additional bars are pivotally connected, said member having a pivotal connection between its ends with said additional bar tending testing the supporting bars and all additional bars into folded position generally parallel with the first bar.

. 6. In an apparatus as described, an elongated bar, golf bag connecting means secured at each end of the bar for securing the bar alongside of and parallel to a golf bag, two foldable supports pivotally connected at their upper ends to the upper golf bag connecting means, adapted to be moved to lie alongside said bar or to be swung outwardly away therefrom, interposed means connected with said supports near their lower ends and to said bar between its ends for automatically swinging said two supports away from each other at their free ends as they are swung outwardly from said bar, said supports diverging downwardlly and outwardly from the upper end of the bar to thereby provide a three point support for a golf bag secured to said bar, with said bar and bag located in inclined position, and a horizontal axle mounted for rocking movement on and extending transversely of the lower golf bag connecting means, having end portions off-v setat an angle to the body of the axle, wheels rotatable mounted on said ofiset portions, and link connections between said offset portions of the.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date =1,573,91Q Nidle Mar. 30, 1926 1,752,114 Shaw Mar. 25, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Germany Sept. 6, 1924 

